Jasmine Rayward
19
YEARS OLD
QLD
BURLEIGH HEADS MOWBRAY PARK
12th
2024/2025 SERIES
ski
STRENGTH
Bio
Jasmine Rayward has lived on the Gold Coast all her life, and started surf life saving when in the U6s at Kurrawa. While she was still in school, Rayward had already represented Junior Australia teams an incredible eight times – in surf life saving (Worlds 2022, Battle of the Tasman and NZ National Pool Rescue Championships), Kayaking (Worlds 2022 and 2023- Junior Womens K1-1000 3rd, NZ National Championships), ocean ski (Worlds 2022- 3rd) and open water swimming (Worlds 2022). In her debut Iron Series, Rayward claimed a silver medal in the fourth Round and has earned herself requalification in the seasons since. Outside of training and racing, she loves to read, draw, look at the cats up for adoption on the AWLQ website, and eat.
Jasmine, how old were you when you started surf lifesaving and why?
I was 5 when I started in Nippers, and I started because my parents wanted me to be fit and healthy and also safe at the beach.
Who was your hero growing up in and out of surf lifesaving?
I didn’t really have any set person that I looked up to. I just knew that I wanted to be one of them.
What is the best piece of advice that you have ever been given?
To be curious about how fast you can go, or about how you can do something better. I find that it takes the pressure off the result and focuses my mind on just doing what I can in the moment and enjoying the feeling of racing.
Your advice for aspiring Shaw and Partners Iron Series athletes?
To enjoy the feeling of racing. I’m not saying you always have to be happy, but you have to like the pain. There’s no point otherwise.
Do you have any race superstitions?
I try not to think about it too much. But I do have a specific playlist and an activation routine.
Jasmine, what has been a high and low in your surf sports journey?
High: Was definitely coming second in Round Four of the 2023/24 series.
Low: I haven’t really had a specific low, but last season definitely wasn’t what I was aiming for.
Do you have any pets?
Yes! I have two cats, Dusty and Boris. They are my favourite things in the entire world. I also have the family dog, Larry, who I love, but from afar 🙂
Do you have a secret talent?
Reading, anywhere, anytime, any conditions. Unfortunately it’s not an elite sport…